At 14:13, the Pope expresses disapproval towards the prohibition imposed on the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
15:43 "Barbaric Aggression" - Ukraine Criticizes "Planned Assault" on Hotel in KramatorskThe Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes the Russian assault on a hotel in Kramatorsk where foreign journalists were residing. This was stated by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgiy Tykhyi, today. "Last night, another brutal and intentional Russian assault on residential areas of Kramatorsk injured foreign media journalists staying in a hotel," the spokesperson wrote. According to Tykhyi, targeted attacks on journalists have become a regular tactic of the Russian war. "These inhumane war crimes must be denounced and penalized," the spokesperson added.
15:14 Following Russian Attacks on Sumy: Police Report 4 Casualties and 13 WoundsThe Russian military attacked the Ukrainian region of Sumy 261 times yesterday alone, according to local police. At least four people lost their lives and 13 were injured in the attacks on the northern region. As reported by the Ukrainian newspaper "Pravda Ukrainska", the attacks damaged six apartment buildings, 26 houses, an educational establishment, outbuildings, cars, a gas pipeline, and shops. Additionally, dry grass on an area of roughly two hectares burst into flames.
14:42 Zelenskyy Teases Putin: "Ailing Old Man from Red Square"On the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not only unveiled the new Ukrainian drone Palianytsia. The head of state also jabbed at the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in a video message: Zelenskyy censured the Russian president as an "ailing old man from Red Square" due to his nuclear threats. "He's an ailing old man from Red Square who consistently intimidates everyone with the red button," said Zelenskyy, "(he) will not impose any of his red guidelines on us."
14:14 Ministry of Energy: Over 500 Ukrainian Communities Without Power After AssaultsIn Ukraine, 524 communities are still without power after Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy, as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform. The situation in the energy sector is challenging, but no limitations have been imposed on consumers. The statement noted that technicians had already restored power to more than 7,200 individuals. The Ministry encourages citizens to use electricity sparingly and responsibly, especially in the evening. Due to the extensive damage caused by Russian troops' attacks, the energy system remains highly susceptible to disruptions.
11:38 Ukraine: 160 Encounters with Russian Troops at the Front within a DayThe Ukrainian side recorded 160 encounters at the front yesterday. Fighting was intense in ten areas, with the situation around Pokrovsk being the most tense, as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the morning. According to the report, Russian troops launched five attacks with 15 rockets and 95 attacks with 127 guided aerial bombs on Ukrainian positions, as well as cities and villages.
10:57 Reuters Staff Member Missing after Hotel Attack in Eastern Ukrainian City of Kramatorsk - Search in Debris ContinuesRussian forces attacked a hotel in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk last night, according to Ukrainian reports. A Reuters staff member is now missing, and two others were wounded. In a statement, the news agency stated that a six-person Reuters team was at the Hotel Sapphire when the attack occurred. The building was "obviously hit by a missile" last night. "One of our colleagues is still missing, and two others have been transported to the hospital for treatment," the statement noted. They are collaborating with authorities in Kramatorsk. The governor of the Donetsk region stated on Telegram that "the Russians have attacked Kramatorsk." Two journalists were wounded, and one is still missing. "Authorities, police, and rescue services are on the scene. The removal of debris and rescue operations are ongoing." The Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office stated in a statement that "Russian troops have attacked the city of Kramatorsk, likely using an Iskander-M missile." They have initiated a preliminary investigation into the attack, which occurred at 22:35 local time last night.
Update at 13:30: The number of injured Reuters staff members has been revised to four. This was announced by the head of the regional military administration of Donetsk, Vadym Fillaschkin, via Telegram.
10:44 Air Force Commander: Most Russian Shahed Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Last NightUkraine's air defense forces performed exceptionally well last night: they intercepted and destroyed eight out of nine Russian Shahed drones. This was reported by the state news agency Ukrinform citing the commander of the Air Force, Mykola Oleschuk. According to the report, Ukrainian defenders not only intercepted the majority of kamikaze drones but also most of the rockets they fired.
10:20 Ukraine: Hotel in Kramatorsk attacked - several Western journalists harmedSeveral Western journalists were harmed in a Russian attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk yesterday, as reported officially. A hotel was hit, leaving two individuals injured and another still trapped under the debris, as written by the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Fillaschkin, on Telegram. "All three victims are journalists, residents of Ukraine, the United States, and the UK." The attack was confirmed in pro-Russian blogs. According to them, Kramatorsk was attacked using heavy glide bombs of the FAB-1500 type. However, they claim that a machine-building factory and several military objectives were also hit.
09:54 US Exports to Russia: New US Restrictions Draw Criticism from ChinaChina has criticized the new controls imposed by the US on numerous exporters from the People's Republic. As reported by the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing, this move disrupts the international trade order and obstructs normal commerce exchange. China will take appropriate measures to protect the legitimate rights of its companies firmly. This criticism comes in response to a decision made last Friday by the US government, which added 105 companies - 42 Chinese, 63 Russian, and 18 from other countries - to a list of export restrictions. These companies were targeted for various reasons, including transferring US electronics to the Russian military and manufacturing thousands of drones used by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. These companies will now need to obtain hard-to-get licenses.
09:29 ISW Encourages Unlimited Use of Long-Range Missiles by Ukraine against Russian TargetsThe US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is advocating for the unrestricted use of long-range weapons on Russian territory by Ukraine. Despite the relocation of air forces to deeper interior regions, many military targets remain within range of US ATACMS missiles, which Ukraine already possesses but is unable to use against Russian territory due to restrictions from Washington. "The ISW estimates that at least 250 military and paramilitary objectives in Russia are within range of the ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States to Ukraine," stated a recent analysis. However, only attacks with HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and GLMRS rockets are currently authorized. "This allows Ukraine to target at most 20 of the 250 objectives," says the ISW.
09:06 Kyiv: 1190 Russian Soldiers 'Eliminated' in a DayRussian losses remain high, according to official figures from Kyiv. In a day, 1190 Russian soldiers have been killed or rendered incapacitated. Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, a total of 607,680 Russian soldiers have been "eliminated," according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. In its daily announcement of Russia's losses, the ministry reports that the enemy has also lost five more tanks (8,547 in total). Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has accounted for over 16,600 armored vehicles and around 14,000 drones that are no longer in Russian military possession or have been destroyed. These figures cannot be independently verified. Moscow remains silent on its own losses in Ukraine.
08:39 Ukrainian Air Force: Most Russian Missiles and Drones Failed to Hit their Targets Last NightAccording to Ukraine, Russia launched several missiles and drones at the northern and eastern parts of the country last night. "Most missiles missed their target," the air force reported. Russia used a ballistic missile of the Iskander-M type, a cruise missile of the Iskander-K type, and six guided missiles. The number of destroyed ones was not disclosed. Meanwhile, eight out of nine Russian attack drones were shot down.
08:08 Six People Injured in Overnight Rocket Attack on KharkivThe number of injured has risen to six following an overnight Russian rocket attack on the Slobidsky district in the Kharkiv region. This was reported by the mayor of Kharkiv, Igor Terekhov, in a Telegram message, as reported by the state news agency Ukrinform.
07:32 Zelensky Praises Introduction of Newly Produced Ukrainian Palianytsia Rocket DronesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the new Palianytsia rocket drones produced in Ukraine. The Ukrainian head of state stated that these rocket drones and other military innovations by Ukraine are essential for the country given the delays in decisions by some of its international partners. "Today, the first and successful combat deployment of our new weapon took place," he said, according to "Kyiv Independent". "A completely new class of Ukrainian rocket drone, Palianytsia."
06:55 Azov Commander Criticizes Prisoner Exchange: No Azov Fighters Among Freed SoldiersAccording to Ukrainian reports, no Azov soldiers were involved in the prisoner exchange yesterday between Russia and Ukraine. This was reported by "Kyiv Independent" citing Brigade Commander Denys Prokopenko. The commander of the Azov Regiment criticized the latest prisoner exchange and expressed his disappointment that none of the Azov fighters, who have been in Russian captivity for over two years, were included.
06:14 Ukraine: Tragedy in Belgorod as Five Dead in Aerial AssaultFive civilians met their demise and 12 more, with four sustaining severe injuries, following an aerial attack in Belgorod's Russian border region by Ukrainian forces during the night. Local leaders, including Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, disclosed this horrifying fact. Two minors were also amongst the casualties, with two being transferred to hospitals for treatment. Ukraine has been conductively escalating its attacks on Russian territories and forged into the Kursk region bordering Belgorod since early August. Belgorod has been a recurrent target for Ukrainian aerial and drone strikes as retaliation for attacks originating from the Russian side.
05:47 Russian Lament: Five Killed in Ukrainian ShellingFive civilians perished and twelve more were injured in an artillery shelling incident that took place in the Rakitnoe city's southwestern part of Russia. The regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported this distressing news via Telegram. However, independent verification of these reports remains elusive, and Ukraine has yet to respond.
04:26 Sumy City Endures Rocket Attack and InjuriesThe Sumy city was targeted by rockets, as reported by the regional military administration. Two reported rocket strikes resulted in seven injuries, two of which were severe. The city of Sumy experienced a Russian attack on its civilian infrastructure last Saturday evening, as per reports.
03:35 Kharkiv: Rockets Launched on Two CitiesOleh Syniehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region, has issued a warning about Russian military launching rocket attacks on the cities of Kharkiv and Chuhuiv. As of now, a single injury has been reported in Chuhuiv. In Kharkiv, a larger explosion is alleged to have occurred, as confirmed by Ihor Terechow, the city's mayor, on Telegram. The inhabitants of the city have been urged to exercise caution, and the cause of the explosion remains a mystery.
03:06 Ukraine's Air Defense Sounds Off Over Drone ConcernsAn air alert has been announced during the wee hours in the east and south of Ukraine. Among other concerns, the Ukrainian air forces have raised alarms about a group of Shahed combat drones advancing towards the southern Ukrainian region of Mykolaiv. Increased Russian attacks are expected around Ukrainian Independence Day, which took place last Saturday. However, a major wave of attacks has yet to materialize.
01:32 Hungary and Slovakia Allege EU Commission Meddling in their Oil SuppliesHungary accuses the European Commission of instigating the interruption of Russian oil supplies. As stated by Hungary's Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, "The fact that the European Commission has declared it unwilling to assist in securely supplying energy to Hungary and Slovakia implies that the order was issued from Brussels to Kyiv to impair the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia." The EU Commission declined to issue a statement in response. In June, the Ukrainian government included the Russian oil company Lukoil in its sanctions list and blocked the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukrainian territory, significantly reducing the access of countries like Hungary and Slovakia to their primary oil supplier.
22:12 Russian Forces Reportedly Injure Four Women in Kupiansk AttackRussian forces are reported to have injured four women in an attack on the Novoosynove village in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region, according to Oleh Syniehubov, the district's military administration head. The attack took place around 12:00, resulting in a private building being set ablaze. The injured individuals were transported to medical facilities while investigations concerning the aftermath of the attack are still ongoing.
21:03 UK's Defense Minister Celebrates Ukraine's ResilienceJohn Healey, the UK's Defence Minister, extends congratulations to Ukraine on its Independence Day in a guest article on "European Pravda." "Thirty-three years ago today, Ukraine declared its independence, pledging a brighter, more prosperous future as a sovereign democracy, liberated from Soviet Russia's control," Healey said. Ukraine's inhabitants are currently celebrating Independence Day amidst a war, striving to maintain their freedom and independence in the face of Putin's brutal and illegal invasion. "Ukraine has always been the underdog against Russia's considerably larger forces and resources. We salute the courage and tenacity displayed by the Ukrainian people today," Healey wrote. The British will continue to stand by their Ukrainian allies unwaveringly for as long as necessary. To express their solidarity, the UK is launching a campaign today, encouraging individuals across Britain and beyond to express their support for Ukraine on social media. "On social media, ask others to 'Make Noise for Ukraine' and share relevant posts," Healey urged. In addition to the military and economic support offered to Ukraine, "We have also offered our friendship and solidarity," Healey concluded.
20:05 Zelensky Promotes Syrsky to General RankUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has bestowed the General rank upon Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as revealed in a presidential decree. Previously, Syrsky held the Colonel-General rank. The promotion is attributed to the recent successes of Ukrainian troops in the Russian border region of Kursk.
- The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine, specifically mentioning the assault on the hotel in Kramatorsk where foreign journalists were staying, as part of a series of deliberate and barbaric aggressions against Ukrainian civilians and media personnel.
- In the aftermath of the Russian attacks on various Ukrainian regions, including Sumy and Kramatorsk, several international organizations, such as Reuters, have reported losses and injuries among their staff members, highlighting the danger and disregard for international norms in the ongoing conflict.
